The golden shadow

Tantra is a word that is often overused, misused and misunderstood. Tantra has a long history consisting of many threads throughout continental Asia and contrary to popular belief, does not represent a single cohesive practice. Historically, it has never been about simply ‘bringing spirituality into sexuality’, which is how it’s often perceived and taught in the West. If anything, it’s been the other way around: Tantra has a history of being a spiritual practice which /in some cases/ includes rituals of a sexual nature.

When we speak of our shadows, we often associate them with the more shameful and darker aspects of our unconscious.  However, as Carl Jung defined, there is another aspect of our submerged creative potential referred to as our Golden Shadows. But really, it’s about shining a light into the shadows of your heart and mind so that you can clearly see, and therefore reclaim, the parts of you think aren’t good enough or are lost altogether.

It’s about experiencing yourself as Whole and complete, no matter what your external circumstances are.

Most of us are familiar with the archetype of the Dark Shadow: the repressed dark side hidden within us. But we’re probably not familiar with the archetype of the Golden Shadow: the repressed gold hidden within our darkness. The golden shadow symbolizes withheld     courage, hidden talents, repressed passion and stifled creativity. It’s the unfulfilled potential that people fail to see or develop because of fear and a lack of risk-taking.

The golden shadow symbolizes withheld courage, hidden talents, repressed passion and stifled creativity. It’s the unfulfilled potential that people fail to see or develop because of fear and a lack of risk-taking.

These are the amazing, powerful, exceptional, gifted parts of ourselves that we do not own, and instead keep hidden and project onto others.  As with all shadow projections, we see these aspects in others instead of in ourselves. For example, we might idolize others for their beauty, talent or power, while denying and disconnecting from our own.

Reclaiming your inner light can bring up a fear of not fitting into the ego club of consensus dimness. So, it is important to know that you may not find outer approval for your golden character traits. You must find  ways to recognize, reclaim and express your magnitude for your own personal delight.

Luckily, for creative people, great healing work can be done through the imagination. Just imagine yourself going back to points in time when you chose self-abnegation and weakness because you felt small, unworthy or afraid...and choose again.

The good thing is, the subconscious mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality. So, in your imagination, you do not have to repeat past traumas in your mind in the exact same way that they happened. In your imagination, you do not have to continue to abandon yourself to abusive others.

In your imagination, you can do anything! You can stand up, self- advocate, fight back, be a super-heroine, or call in powerful spiritual allies to help you!

Imagine bringing your brightest spiritual strength into the darkest times from your past until your body believes that a new choice has been made. When the fear that has weakened you no longer rules your body, your golden gifts can shine bright!

The Shadow embodies all the traits that we’re not accepting in ourselves and indicates where work needs to be done.

In the case of the Golden Shadow, this is most obviously seen in the teacher/student relationship where a student projects their divinity and power onto a person in a teacher role.  They see the teacher as possessing incredible qualities, whilst not seeing them in themselves because they are so busy beating up on and criticizing themselves.

Another example of the Golden Shadow is when you are triggered by someone who is completely in his or her joy and ease, always bubbly and happy. When you take a look inwards, you may find that you have not been allowing yourself to fully embrace your own joy and happiness.

Or, perhaps you are triggered by others who have high levels of ambition and drive. When you see them getting out in the world and go after their goals you are filled with self-doubt or jealousy. When you look at the light aspect of this, you may realize that you have disowned your own power and success and are not allowing yourself to go after your dreams, despite having all of these qualities already within you.

The Golden Shadow also lies in what we are drawn too. This could be the kind of art you resonate with – perhaps beautiful art or surroundings makes you happy. This is a reflection of the beauty that lies within you. Or perhaps you are always drawn to mystical and deep thinking spiritual teachers or partners and feel like you don’t have those qualities within yourself. However, whatever you consciously or unconsciously project is always a reflection of yourself.

In doing Golden Shadow work, you can find a way to own your beauty, own your mysticism, own your capacity for great strength and power, and embrace and own your joy and ease. Or whatever qualities lie dormant within you, ready to be expressed and seen in the world. Use the people that intimidate or impress you as inspiration and allow their image to

be reflected back within you.

Exploring your Golden Shadows can be an empowering pathway to self- actualization and becoming who you are truly meant to be, complete in your power and radiance.  When we integrate our Golden Shadow we start creating the life of our dreams.

I look to my golden shadow to discover more of my life legacy as it reveals where and how my healing and pain meet the gifts I have to offer the world. Our shadow and golden shadow are unique to us, and something to be proud of even when it may feel like otherwise.

The other side of shame about our shadow is the portal to our power, made possible by some gold-digging. Use these tips for discovering deeper treasures in the darkness:

Golden Shadow Practice

 Consider the people in your life who you strongly admire – then write

about the qualities you perceive in them that ignite you, but from the

first person, as qualities innate in my own being.

Journaling this way is a refreshing exercise in radical self love. It is

easier for most people to see incredible people in their life and fall

into admiration for their nuanced expressions of divinity.

Not so commonly a habit to see these as aspects of our own being that we

are willing to acknowledge fully. Writing it out certainly helps bring

it into the fore-front and supports the light of your own being to shine

brighter.  Example.  I am a great space holder.  I have incredible

awareness.  I am smart, thoughtful, loving and kind.

You can also own these qualities by saying them out aloud as you look

into the mirror!

The one I see in them is also in me.

 Another good way to get in touch with your golden shadows is to ask

yourself where do I notice and feel: insecurity, fear, envy, jealousy,

admiration, awe.  Where am I witnessing something that I want, and it’s

reflecting a story of lack within me?

How can this help INSPIRE me rather than create more separation and lack

within myself?

Watch the comparison shadow dweller: it is here to help you to reconnect

to the beauty of your desires and longings. Use it as fuel to inspire you.

Whenever you perceive lack in relation that which you want –

Affirm that YOU, yes you, have this quality that you attribute to

whoever you admire and envy.  Create “I am” affirmation calling in that

which you want. For example. I am wildly passionate, hot, and sexy.  Act

as if you have the quality by making choices that cultivate and

demonstrate it

You may have to fake it till you make it.  Use mirror work to affirm and

anchor these transmissions into your body and heart by imagining what

you would feel like if you had these qualities.  Ask for support from

people you love by asking for reflection, accountability, and positive

reinforcement.  The golden shadow in me honors the golden shadow within

you. Let’s shine!!!!!!